3

The First Memorial to the Throne

 

Zhuge Liang

 

Your servant Liang speaks:

 

The late Emperor passed away halfway through his life's endeavor. Now the realm is split into three kingdoms, and Yi Province lies worn and depleted. This is indeed a critical moment of peril and survival.

 

Yet the ministers who guard the court never slacken their efforts within, and the loyal generals on the frontier lay down their lives without hesitation. All this is because they cherish the extraordinary grace bestowed by the late Emperor, and seek to repay it to Your Majesty.

 

You ought to open wide your ears to all worthy counsel, carry forward the late Emperor's noble virtue, and inspire the resolve of all loyal souls. Do not demean yourself improperly, nor employ inappropriate comparisons, lest you block the way of honest remonstrance.

 

The imperial palace and the official administration form one whole. Promotion and punishment, praise and blame, must not be judged by different standards.

 

If any act wickedly and break the law, or conduct themselves with loyalty and goodness, let them be referred to the proper officials to decide their punishment or reward. This shall manifest Your Majesty's impartial and enlightened rule. Show no personal favoritism, lest there be one law for the inner court and another for the outer administration.

 

Palace attendants and court officials, alike must be treated with uniform justice. He who does evil shall be punished; he who does good shall be honored.

 

General Guo Youzhi, Fei Yi and Dong Yun are all upright and steadfast in spirit, loyal and pure of purpose. The late Emperor recommended them to serve Your Majesty.

 

I humbly hold that all matters within the palace, great or small, ought to be referred to these three gentlemen before action is taken. They shall surely offer sound counsel and no oversight or harm shall be done.

 

General Xiang Chong is of fine character and balanced temper, well-versed in military affairs. He was tried and tested in days gone by, and the late Emperor praised his competence. Thus the court has named him Commander of the Van.

 

I hold that all military affairs ought to be referred to his judgment, so that harmony may prevail among the ranks, and proper order be maintained among officers and men.

 

To value loyal ministers and distance petty men was the reason the Former Han prospered; to value petty men and distance loyal ministers was the reason the Later Han fell to ruin.

 

The late Emperor always spoke with regret and sorrow of the failings of Emperors Huan and Ling.

 

Guo Youzhi, Fei Yi, Dong Yun and all the loyal ministers of the court—these are the faithful guardians of the realm. I beg Your Majesty to draw close to them and place your trust in them. Then shall the peace of the house of Liu be assured, and prosperity follow in days to come.

 

I was once a commoner, tilling my fields in Nanyang, seeking only to preserve my life in turbulent times, with no wish to win fame among lords and nobles.

 

The late Emperor did not disdain my humble origin. Three times he visited my thatched cottage to consult me on the affairs of the realm. Grateful for such kindness, I pledged myself to his service.

 

When setback and defeat befell, I accepted commission amid military peril; I bore heavy duty in times of dire crisis, twenty-one years in all.

 

The late Emperor knew my prudence, and on his deathbed entrusted to me the fate of his realm and the care of Your Majesty.

 

Since accepting that charge, I have lain awake at night in anxiety, fearing I might fail to fulfill the trust of a departed sovereign and bring dishonor upon his wisdom.

 

Therefore in the fifth month I crossed the Lu River and marched deep into the barren south. Now the southern regions are subdued, and our armies are well-equipped. It is fitting now to lead the northern legions to pacify the central plains. I shall strive to exhaust my mediocre strength, root out evil traitors, restore the glory of the Han, and return to the old capital.

 

This is the duty I owe to the late Emperor and the service I owe to Your Majesty. As for weighing and offering proper counsel, upholding loyalty and integrity, that lies with Youzhi, Fei Yi and Dong Yun.

 

I beg Your Majesty to entrust me with the task of chastising the rebels and restoring the Han. If I fail, punish my fault before the spirits of the late Emperor. If no virtuous counsel is offered to enlighten your judgment, then reproach Youzhi, Fei Yi and Dong Yun for their remissness and declare it to all.

 

Your Majesty should also reflect deeply on state affairs, seek good counsel, and treasure the wise words of the loyal ministers. I shall forever be grateful for your kindness.

 

Now I take my leave to journey far. With tears streaming down my face, I know not what more to say.

The First Memorial to the Throne

 

Zhuge Liang

 

Your servant Liang speaks:

 

The late Emperor passed away halfway through his life's endeavor. Now the realm is split into three kingdoms, and Yi Province lies worn and depleted. This is indeed a critical moment of peril and survival.

 

Yet the ministers who guard the court never slacken their efforts within, and the loyal generals on the frontier lay down their lives without hesitation. All this is because they cherish the extraordinary grace bestowed by the late Emperor, and seek to repay it to Your Majesty.

 

You ought to open wide your ears to all worthy counsel, carry forward the late Emperor's noble virtue, and inspire the resolve of all loyal souls. Do not demean yourself improperly, nor employ inappropriate comparisons, lest you block the way of honest remonstrance.

 

The imperial palace and the official administration form one whole. Promotion and punishment, praise and blame, must not be judged by different standards.

 

If any act wickedly and break the law, or conduct themselves with loyalty and goodness, let them be referred to the proper officials to decide their punishment or reward. This shall manifest Your Majesty's impartial and enlightened rule. Show no personal favoritism, lest there be one law for the inner court and another for the outer administration.

 

Palace attendants and court officials, alike must be treated with uniform justice. He who does evil shall be punished; he who does good shall be honored.

 

General Guo Youzhi, Fei Yi and Dong Yun are all upright and steadfast in spirit, loyal and pure of purpose. The late Emperor recommended them to serve Your Majesty.

 

I humbly hold that all matters within the palace, great or small, ought to be referred to these three gentlemen before action is taken. They shall surely offer sound counsel and no oversight or harm shall be done.

 

General Xiang Chong is of fine character and balanced temper, well-versed in military affairs. He was tried and tested in days gone by, and the late Emperor praised his competence. Thus the court has named him Commander of the Van.

 

I hold that all military affairs ought to be referred to his judgment, so that harmony may prevail among the ranks, and proper order be maintained among officers and men.

 

To value loyal ministers and distance petty men was the reason the Former Han prospered; to value petty men and distance loyal ministers was the reason the Later Han fell to ruin.

 

The late Emperor always spoke with regret and sorrow of the failings of Emperors Huan and Ling.

 

Guo Youzhi, Fei Yi, Dong Yun and all the loyal ministers of the court—these are the faithful guardians of the realm. I beg Your Majesty to draw close to them and place your trust in them. Then shall the peace of the house of Liu be assured, and prosperity follow in days to come.

 

I was once a commoner, tilling my fields in Nanyang, seeking only to preserve my life in turbulent times, with no wish to win fame among lords and nobles.

 

The late Emperor did not disdain my humble origin. Three times he visited my thatched cottage to consult me on the affairs of the realm. Grateful for such kindness, I pledged myself to his service.

 

When setback and defeat befell, I accepted commission amid military peril; I bore heavy duty in times of dire crisis, twenty-one years in all.

 

The late Emperor knew my prudence, and on his deathbed entrusted to me the fate of his realm and the care of Your Majesty.

 

Since accepting that charge, I have lain awake at night in anxiety, fearing I might fail to fulfill the trust of a departed sovereign and bring dishonor upon his wisdom.

 

Therefore in the fifth month I crossed the Lu River and marched deep into the barren south. Now the southern regions are subdued, and our armies are well-equipped. It is fitting now to lead the northern legions to pacify the central plains. I shall strive to exhaust my mediocre strength, root out evil traitors, restore the glory of the Han, and return to the old capital.

 

This is the duty I owe to the late Emperor and the service I owe to Your Majesty. As for weighing and offering proper counsel, upholding loyalty and integrity, that lies with Youzhi, Fei Yi and Dong Yun.

 

I beg Your Majesty to entrust me with the task of chastising the rebels and restoring the Han. If I fail, punish my fault before the spirits of the late Emperor. If no virtuous counsel is offered to enlighten your judgment, then reproach Youzhi, Fei Yi and Dong Yun for their remissness and declare it to all.

 

Your Majesty should also reflect deeply on state affairs, seek good counsel, and treasure the wise words of the loyal ministers. I shall forever be grateful for your kindness.

 

Now I take my leave to journey far. With tears streaming down my face, I know not what more to say.